Quartet supports PA reform – UN news item

Middle East 'Quartet' supports Palestinian Authority reform: UN official

The diplomatic "Quartet" on the Middle East today met with Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat and voiced support for his reform initiatives, according to a senior United Nations official present at the meeting.

The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Terje Roed-Larsen attended the meeting in Ramallah that brought together senior representatives of the United States, the European Union and the Russian Federation, which, along with the UN, comprise the Quartet.

Speaking to the press after the meeting that lasted for more than two hours, Mr. Roed-Larsen said the Quartet had come to offer its full support to the reform initiatives undertaken by President Arafat.

The Quartet hoped those reforms, along with the ones proposed by the Palestinian Legislative Council, will be implemented as quickly as possible, Mr. Roed-Larsen added.

"These reforms proposed by Palestinians for the benefit of Palestinians are an important first step for achieving the vision we all share and that is the establishment of a democratic, secure and economically viable Palestinian State alongside and at peace with Israel," he said.

The Quartet also told President Arafat that the international community was prepared to provide the full measure of technical and financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority to help make that vision a reality. In addition, the Quartet called on Israel to foster a climate conducive to reform, particularly by easing restrictions on the movement of Palestinian people and goods.